Olive packing machine



Dec. 20, 1960 1 Fil ed April 24; 1959 v M. CALVACHE ETAL 2,964,893

OLIVE PACKING MACHINE 15 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.

MANUEL CALl ACHE INVENTORS'AUST/N OVERBUR) ATTORNEY M. CALVACHE ETAL 2,964,893

OLIVE PACKING MACHINE Deg. 20, 1960 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 24, 1959 MANUEL CALVACHE AUSTIN OVERBURY MKW ATTORNEY m. M m w w M. CALVACHE El AL.

Dec. 20, 1960 OLIVE PACKING MACHINE Filed April 24, 1959 15 Sheets-Sheet 3 MANUEL CALI/A CHE WVENTORS} AUSTIN OVERBURY M WU ATTORNEY M. CALVACHE El'AL 2,964,893

OLIVE PACKING MACHINE Dec. 20, 1960 15 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 24, 1959 IN l/ENTOR$-' MANUEL CAL VACHE AUSTIN OVERBURV MZW ATTORNEY M. CALVACHE El'AL ,964,893

ouvE PACKING MACHINE Dec. 20, 1960 Filed April 24, 1959 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 MANUEL CAL VACHE Wl/ENTORS" AUSTIN OVERBURV MKXWU ATTORNEY M. CALVACHE El AL 2,964,893 7 Dec. 20, 1960 OLIVE PACKING MACHINE 15' Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 24, 1959 MANUEL CAL v4 CHE WVENTORS' AUSTIN OVERBUR) FIG. /5

FIG. FIG. /2 Plays FIG. /4

WKWW/ A TTORNEV Dec. 20, 1960 M. CALVACHE EI'AL 2,964,893

OLIVE PACKING MACHINE Filed April 24, 1959 15 Sheets-Sheet '7 MANUEL'CAL'l/ACHE AUSTIN OVERBURY Mia m ATTORNEY -/N VENTORS/ Dec. 20, 1960 Filed April 24, 1959 1 FIGJ M. CALVACHE ETAL FIG. I0

FIG?

OLIVE PACKING MACHINE 15 Sheets-Sheet a MANUEL CALVACHE AUSTIN OVERBUR) MZM ' ATTORMEY Dec. 1960 M. CALVACHEY EI'AL 2,964,893

OLIVE PACKING MACHINE 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed April 24, 1959 MANUEL CALVACHE "NVENTORS' A usrnv OVERBURY WKM ATTORNEY Dec. 20, 1960 M. CALVACHE EFAL 2,964,893

OLIVE PACKING MACHINE 15 sheets shee t 10 Filed April 24. 1959 wag/ MANUEL CAL VA CHE INVENTORS AUSTIN Ol/ERBUR ATTORNEY Dec. 20, 1960 M. CALVACHE EI'AL OLIVE PACKING MACHINE 4 15 Sheets-Sheet 11 50.3, MANUEL CAL l/ACHE AUSTIN- OVERBURY Filed April 24, 1959 INVENTORS" WK W ATTORNEY Dec. 2 0, 1960 M. CALVACHE EFAL 2,964,893

OLIVE PACKING MACHINE l5 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed April 24, 1959 m /J I MANUEL CALVACHE INVENTORS' AUSTIN OVERBURV MZM ATTORNE Dec. 20, 1960 M. CALVACHE ErAL 2,964,893

OLIVE PACKING MACHINE Filed April 24, 1959 1 Sheets-Sheet 13 FIG. /5

COUNTING MECHANISM 7 MANUEL CALVA C HE AUSTIN O VERBURV %MZ m ATTORNEY N VE N TORS Dec. 20, 1960 M. CALVACHE EAL 2,964,893

OLIVE PACKING MACHINE 15 Sheets-Sheet 14 vFiled. April 24, 1959 MANUEL CAL VACHE 'NVENTORS AUSTIN OVERBURV MZM A TTORNEV Dec. 20, 1960 M. CALVACHE EI'AL OLIVE PACKING MACHINE Filed April 24, 1959 FIG. 2/

15 Sheets-Sheet 15 FIG. 20

,NVENTORV MANUEL CAL VACHE AUSTIN Ol/ERBURV /M MJ ATTORNEY- United States Patent OLIVE .BACKING- MACHINE Manuel Calvache, 651 Mountain Ave., North Caldwell,

N.J.,--and. Austin Overbury, West Orange, N.J.; said Overburyassignorto said Calvache Filed Apr.24, 1959,Ser. No. 808,825

i20'Claims. 1(Cl.."53-237) This invention relates to .automatic packing machines ,for packing fancy goodsasuchtas pimentostufi'edolives in transparent glass. jars.

Though olives and .other fancy goods are sold in a wariety of diiferent. containers and packing conditions, "the ,major demandis .for awparticular arrangement and container.

-a piece of pimento, against the cylindrical wall of the jar. The resulting arrangement is esthetically attractive .to the consumer to the extent that a considerable amount .of the retail sales of packaged olives are of stufied olives packagedin this manner.

Machines have been designed to pack .olives but for a variety of reasons they have been ;generally unsatisfactory so that stuffed olives and othersimilar fancy goods are still manually packed. For example, the

machine disclosed in the Reissue Patent 24,095 to F. W. Olson .is designed .to pack olives two at a time in cylindrical jars whichdo nothave a narrow neck. Such a machine, however, does not meet the ,consumer demand for a narrow .necked .jar. If narrow .necked jars are packed by such machines, the olives are {released away from the walls of the jar. The narrow neckcomplicates the packing problemand does not readily permit the simultaneous insertion of two olives which will be positioned against the cylindrical wall ;of the jar. If the olives are inserted individually, a variety of problems exist such as maintaining the first deposited olive in each layer in place, especially of the first layer, before and as the next olive in that layer is inserted and deposited adjacent thereto. Moreover, a relative transverse as well as a longitudinal;movement-of the olive with respect to the cylindrical wall of the jar is required because of the narrow neck of the jar iii-order to position the olive against the wall of the jar. For these reasons, and because of the positioning accuracy and complication of the various relative movements, prior attempts to provide a practical olive packing machine have been unsuccessful.

In one specific embodiment of this invention, an olive packing machine is provided for packing stuffed olives or the like one at a time into cylindrical jars having narrow necks. The machine includes a main wheel which supports a numberv of spindles and which is stepped by mechanical control apparatus. At leach step of the main wheel, an olive is ;delivered to one ofthe spindles on the wheel and a second spindle insert s.an.olive into I116 V A feature of this invention relates to the provision of .positive control means for thegspindles which deliver the tcliv stintoz he ia -FIT-he entire downw rd movemen b delivery stroke of thespindles is .apositiveoperation as well as the return stroke of the spindlesto insure the proper -timing in the sequence of operations. The delivery and return of the spindles is achieved utilizing only axial or longitudinal movement of the spindles to avoid complicated angular movements which differ for each level of thevolives in the jar. The movement need only beaxial even though a narrow necked jar is utilized because the position of the jar is adjusted before and after the spindle is inserted into the jar to position the inside of the wall of the jar against the'olive. The jar is automatically moved for successive olives in four different sets of directions to position it against successively inserted olives.

The .angular position of the stuffed olive is determined by the angular position .of the spindle and the angular position of the spindle is adjusted as it is rotated with the main wheel to the delivery position. As the main wheel is stepped, the spindles are successively positioned at the delivery position. The angular position of each spindle is adjusted during the rotation of the wheel so that each successive four olives are positioned at degree variations.

Important features of this invention relate to the means for delivering the .olives into the jar. The utilization of the main wheel and the spindles permits the automatic delivery of the olives to the spindles and the delivery thereafter of the olives from the spindles to the jar.

Other features of this invention pertain to the provision of resilient engaging fingers on each of the spindles which "hold an olive. -A plunger shaft, which controls the longitudinal motion of the spindles into and out of the jar, also controls the fingers of the spindle to release the olive. When the plunger shaft is returned to its start condition, it reverses its return .stroke for a small distance to reclose the fingers of the spindle so that another olive can be inserted and grasped thereby.

Still other features of this invention relate to the provision of means for stabilizing the position of the first olive inserted in the jar when the second olive .is deposited adjacent thereto. The-firstolive ofeac'h level or layer is accurately located when the second olive at that level is deposited by means of an aligning member supported adjacent the fingers on each of the spindles. Still other features of this invention relate to the provision of an automatic packing machine having most of its moving parts located above or adjacent the jars which are to be filled to avoid brine from a broken jar falling to the movingapparatus.

Further objects and features will become apparent .upon consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view offthe olive packing machineof this invention with the main wheel shown in phantom; V

Figure 2 is an operational or sequence flow chart illustrating the operation of the olive packing machine .of this invention;

Figures 3 through 9, when arranged in accordance with Figure 10, area perspective viewof the olive packing machine of this invention withsthe main wheel and spindles removed;

FigureVSa is a detailed .perspective-view of :a portion of Figure 5;

Figure 10 illustrates .the arrangement of Figures 3 through 9;

Figures l l through 15 when arranged "in accordance with Figure 16, are,an,-;exploded perspective view "of the invention;

Figure 16 illustrates the arrangement of Figures 11 through 15;

Figure 17 is a bottom view of the lower table of the olive packing machine of this invention;

Figure 18 is a side view of a linkage interconnecting the lower and upper tables of the olive packing machine of this invention;

Figure 19 is a front view of a portion of the wheel including some of the spindles of the olive packing machine of this invention;

Figure 20 is an enlarged front view of one of the spindles of the olive packing machine of this invention; and

Figure 21 is a sectional view through the wheel of the olive packing machine of this invention.

General description Before proceeding with a detailed description of the olive packing machine of this invention, the machine will first be generally described, including the main operational functions, referring to the pictorial view shown in Figure l and to the operational flow chart shown in Figure 2.

Referring first to Figure 1, the olive packing machine includes a lower table 30, supported on four legs 31, and an upper table 32, supported by four legs 33 on the lower table 30. The two tables and 32 support the rest of the olive packing machine, with the lower table 30 supporting a jar positioning assembly 35 and the bottom of an input stepping conveyor or chain 36, and the upper table 32 supporting a control mechanism or assembly 38 and by means of the shaft or axle 41, a main wheel 39 which is shown in phantom. The control mechanism 38 drives or steps the wheel 39 in a counterclockwise direction by means of two roller spindles 40 which are part of a Geneva gear movement that is hereinafter described. At the same time that the wheel 39 is stepped the conveyor 36 is also stepped to position an olive adjacent an olive delivery arm 42. The orientation of each stuffed olive in the jar 70 is determined by rotating the spindles to 65 about their longitudinal axes on the wheel 39 as it is stepped in a counterclockwise manner.

At each of sixteen circumferential steps of the wheel 39, the control mechanism 38 performs four main functrons:

(a) It drives one of sixteen spindles 50 to 65, not

} shown in Figure l, which are supported on the wheel 39,. into a narrow-necked jar 70 to vdeposit a stulfed olive;

(b) It operates a counting mechanism 71 which counts the number of olives delivered into the jar 70;

(c) It operates the jar positioning assembly 35, positioning the jar 70 to one of four positions as the spindle is inserted into the jar 70 and then after the spindle is inserted, it returns the jar 70 to its original position as the spindle is retracted; and

(a') It delivers an olive by means of the olive delivery arm 42 to one of the sixteen spindles 50 to 65.

The olive is released by the spindle against the inside of the cylindrical wall of the jar 70 after the jar 70 has been positioned. The spindle on wheel '39, which is now positioned adjacent the jar 70, is driven into and out of the jar 70 by a plunger shaft 131. The plunger shaft 131 also operates the spool 127 on the spindle to release the olive when the shaft 131 begins its return stroke. After restoring to the top of its return stroke, the shaft 131 reverses its direction for A of an inch to a close the fingers 135 in preparation for the reception of another olive from the olive delivery arm 42.

The length of the delivery stroke of the plunger shaft 131 and, therefore, the elevation of the olive in the jar '70,"is controlled by a rotatable vertical limiting arm 185 :.wh ch 1s automatically adjusted to contact successive steps -on the plate 195 to change the elevation, layer by layer,

of the deposited olives.

The olives are, in this manner, delivered vertically into the jar 70 and positioned against the wall of the jar 70 by moving the jar 70 against the pimento or stuffedend of the olive. Both delivery and retraction of the spindle is positively controlled so that the olives are accurately positioned.

The stepping sequence continues in this manner until the counting mechanism 71 registers the total number of olives to be packed in the jar 70. When the counting mechanism 71 indicates that the jar is full, the control mechanism 38 operates the jar positioning assembly 35 to remove the full jar 70 and move an empty jar 70 to' the packing position. The packing sequence is then repeated.

The sequence of operations functionally described in reference to Figure 1 is illustrated in the flow chart shown in Figure 2 together with some of the control equipment in the control mechanism 38. As is hereinafter described in the detailed description the control mechanism 38 includes a motor which drives a main shaft 81 that supports three different clutches 20, 25 and 28. The clutch 28 is operated by a start button 82 which initiates the packing sequence. When the clutch 28 is operated, it steps the conveyor 36 and the main wheel 39 and it operates the clutch 25. When the clutch 25 operates, it releases the clutch 28 and it performs the above-listed four functions of delivering an olive to one of the spindles 50-65, stepping the counter-mechanism 71 and operating the jar positioning mechanism 35 to position the jar against the pimento stuffed olive. The two clutches 28 and 25 operate alternatively in this manner with eachsuccessive operation thereof causing the accurate positioning of an olive in the jar.

When the counting mechanism 71 indicates the jar' being packed is full, it operates the clutch 20 which dis-- engages a portion of the shaft 81 to effectively disable the clutches 28 and 25. The clutch 20 also operates the jar transfer mechanism of the positioning assembly 35 so that an empty jar is positioned for packing, it resets the counting mechanism 71 and it reinitiates the packing sequence.

The flow chart in this manner illustrates the operational sequence of events in the olive packing machine. The same reference designations utilized in Figures 1 and 2 are also utilized in the detail figures so that Figures 1 and 2 may be also considered when the detailed de-- scription is read.

Detailed description The detailed figures include two main composite arrangements, namely, Figures 3 to 9 arranged in accordance with Figure 10 which depict most of the machine except for the wheel 39 and the details of the control mechanism 38, and Figures 11 to 15 arranged in accordance with Figure 16 which depict the details of'the control mechanism 38. Figures 19 to 21 show the details of the wheel 39 and the spindles 50 to 65.

As indicated above, the operation of the olive packing machine is initiated by operating a start button 82 which is shown in Figures 2 and 6. The start button 82 initiates the operation of the machine by closing an operating circuit for the start solenoid 83, shown in Figure 14 which is part of the control mechanism 38. As is hereinafter described, the solenoid 83 unlatches the clutch 28 to initiate the alternate operating sequence of the clutches 25 anw 28 briefly described above in reference to the sequence. flow chart in Figure 2. More specifically, when the solenoid 83 is energized, it attracts a link 84 of the latching mechanism 85 to rotate the mechanism 85 in acloekwise direction as shown in Figure 12 about a shaft 87 and thereby unlatch the clutch 28. The link 84 is rotatably attached by a screw 86 to a control arm 88 which is part of the latching mechanism 85. The

- control arm 88 is both rotatable and slidable about the .solenoid"9 0 "is energized. its the control arm 88 is ro- "tatedibythe link"8,4,. it stretches or distorts a restoring spring 91 which is effective to return thelatching "mecha- Inism85 to its normal condition when'the'start solenoid .83 is 'de-energized.

The control arm 88 rotates .against the screw 8610f a latching arm'93 to causethe arm93.;to"disen gage from ,apawl 94 on the clutch 28. "The.1atchingarm93,which rotates with the control arm 88 about the shaft "87, is connected to the arm '88.:by means of thescrew 86. vA coiled spring95 coupled between a pin 96 on theparm 88.and.a pini92 on't he 'arm193rsupports thecontrol arm predetermined count indicative of afull .jar, theshaft 99 is rotatedin a clockwise direction causing the finger 98 ..to bearagainst a pin 88a on the lower end of the control arm 88. The movement-of the finger.98 in this manner causes the vertical-or longitudinal movement of thearm .88 just as does the energization of the stop solenoid 90.

"The ,longitudinalior vertical movement of the arm 88 prevents it from being rotatably deflected by a .pin 26 on the clutch .-25,vto in turn,.rotate the latchingarm .93 away from engagement with the .pawl 94. The clutch .28, therefore, cannot-be unlatched when the control arm .88 is .atits lower position due to the disabling fingers :98 or the stop solenoid '90.

QReturning now .to the sequenceinitiated by the energization of the start solenoid 83, the latching mechanism 85 releases the pawl94 on the clutch 28 allowing -it to rotate. The driving shaft '81 is driven in a counterclockwisedirection-by the motor 80 through agear link- .age 78 and a safety clutch 79. When the .clutch 28 rotates, it rotates therewith a bushing 27 and a gear 29 supported on the bushing 27. The :bushing27, which visconcentrically mounted on theshaft 81, .is attached rto the clutch 28 and to -the gear 29. The gear-29 drives a gear trainincluding the gears 29a, 43, 43a, .44 and 45. The gear 45, which is rotated in aclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 12, .is rigidly mounted on .a shaft 46. The shaft 46 supports and rotates therewithia cam 47 at -a central location along the shaft-46 and a bracket 48 at the front end of the shaft 46. As .ishereinafter described, the cam 47 controls the displacement of a rod 249 which .is part ofa latching mechanism .100 shown in Figure 3. The latching mechanism.-100 is utilizedtohold ,shaft 131 accurately while-the wheel 39.is rotated. The v,bracket 48, which .is rotated in a clockwise direction with the gear 45 andshaft 46, .supportsa pin 205 and the two roller spindles 40 briefly described .above in reference to Figure 1.

When the bracket48 is rotated, the pin .205.engages v.arocker 204 which is pivoted on a pin 206 supported on the housing of the control mechanism 38. -As the pin .205 rotates in a clockwise-direction, it rotatesrthe rocker 204 in a counter-clockwise direotion'so that a roller 22% supported at one end of the rocker'204 engages-a primary .latch 200. As is hereinafter described, .the latch 2% is rotated in a clockwise-direction by-the roller 220m dis- .engagea stud 203 to ready mechanism utilized for delivering an olive to the jar 70. This mechanism is not operated at. this time (to deliver an olive .but operates, ,as .is xhereinafter described, when a clutch 25. .isreleased at .the. end .of:-a revolution .bythe clutch .28.

,As 1 indicated .above, the bracket .48 supports two 1 roller ,spindles 40. Each of the two spindles 40. includes arov fltata'ble bearing 66 whichengages the.ar.cuate .circumfercntial teeth 101 and slots 102 of the main wheel 39 "rack 119 which rotates them 270 degrees.

6 which is shown in Figure 19. As the spindles ill' -are ;rotate,d=on' t he shaft 46 in aclockwise direction, they drivethe wheel 39 in a counter-clockwisedirection, 22.5 degrees-ori fl -of a revolution about the supporting axial shaft -41 foreaehrevolution of the clutch -28.

As shownin Figures 19 to 21, the wheel 39 is a-oircular plate having 32 peripheral fingers 101, and eight stiffening ribs 103 (Figure 21) attached thereto at 45 degree angular locations by a number of screws .104 (Figure 19). The wheel 39, which may be'fabricated of stainless steel or the like, has a diameter of 26.25 inches. The stiffening ribs 103 prevent the wheel 39 from flexing during the packingsequence tomaintain the small tolerances in movement necessary for adequately packing the olives in the jar 70 *(Figure 8).

As indicated above, the wheel 39supports sixteen cylindrical spindles -50 to -65 which function to pick up the olives=at the'conveyor 36 and deliver them in the correct angularposition andheight -into thejar '70. 'Each of the spindles 50 -to 65 is both movable in a radial direction on the wheel 39 and also rotatable about its longitudinal axis. In its normal position, as shown in Figure21,-the spindle 50 is rotatably supported at its peripheral -end by :a bracket 106. The bracket 106-is-affixedto the wheel .39 by screws, not shown. A detent member 107 resiliently engages one of four notches 108 in a positioning disc or locator 109 which is slidably mounted with a fraction disc 110-and aspacer 11-1 on the spindle 50. Actually, the spindle 50 and every other fourthspindle 54, 58 and .62 are not rotated. The'restof the spindles which-are rotated, also include a pinion or gear '113 (Figure '19) slidingly mounted with the locator 109 and friction disc 110 and held in position on the wheel 39 '-by the bracket 106. As is hereinafter described, :the pinions 1:13 determine :the :angle of rotation of :the :spindles as they are rotated with the wheel 39 from their loading position at the-conveyor 36 :to their unloading =position at1the glass jar 70.

The-spindles 50, 54, 58 and -62 -do not include a pinion so that they arenot rotated about their longitu- =dinal axes as they are rotated -with the -wheel69. The

ed in the bracket 106 towards the shaft 41 of the Wheel 39. In this manner, every fourth spindle includes a pinion 113 which is mounted in asimilar location.

During each 22.5 degree rotationalstep'of the wheel 39, one of the brackets 106 of the ;1-6 spindles 50 to "65 passes adjacent a composite rack arrangement 1 1 6 which is shown in Figures 1 and 5. As shown-particularly in Figure -5, the arrangement 116 has a first set of racks 117, 118 and 119 and a second complementary set-of racks 120, 12-1 and 122. The arrangemont-116ismounted on the upper table 32 in a rnannersuch that a -horizontal spindle on the wheel 39 adjacent the conveyor 36 is positioned between the two sets of racks of the arrangement 1 16. After the spindle has been loaded with an olive in a manner which is hereinafter described, the first rotational step of the wheel 39 by -t he spindles 40 causes the rotation of the loaded spindle about its 'longitudinal axis in accordance with the positionof its pinion 113. As indicated above, the-spindles 50, 54, 58 and "62 do not include a pinion so that theyare not rotated as they pass adjacent the rack arrangernent 116. The pinion 1 13 of the spindles51, 55, 59 and '63 meshes with the The rack 118 'meshes with the centrally *locatedpinion 1 13 of the spindles 53, 57, 61 and ;65 to rotate them'i1*80 deg ees and the'rack 1'17 meshes with thegear 1:13 of the spindles :52, 56, 60 and .64 to rotate .them degrees. As the wheel '39 is rotatably stepped in a counterclockwise 'direction, the rotation of the spindles 50 and 65 is the sequence of degrees, 270 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, 0 degrees, 270 degrees, etc. The sequence is established in this manner because, as described above, two oppositely positioned olives are positioned in each layer of the jar 70 and at a 90 degree rotational displacement from the layers above and below it. The spindles 51 and 52 position two olives 180 degrees displaced in one layer, the spindles 53 and 54 position the next two olives in the next layer 180 degrees displaced from each other and 90 degrees from the olives in the preceding layer, etc. By rotating the spindles 50 to 65 in this manner, the olives are in rotatable position for insertion into the jar 70. The jar 70 need not, therefore, be rotated after the spindles are inserted.

The racks 120, 121 and 122 are complementary to the racks 117, 118 and 119 in that they restore the spindles 50 to 65 to their original angular position during the last step of the wheel 39'before they are brought back to the loading position adjacent the conveyor 36. During the last step before loading, the spindles 50 to 65 are rotated in the sequence 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 270 degrees, 180 degrees, 0 degrees, etc.

As described above and shown in Figures 19 to 21, the peripheral ends of the spindles 50 to 65 are supported by the brackets 106. The central ends 125 of the spindles 50 to 65 are supported respectively in 16 holes 123 of an annular ring 124 that is affixed to the wheel 39. As shown particularly in Figure 20, each of the spindles 50 to 65 includes a stop bushing or collar 126 which is afl'lxed to the spindle adjacent to its end 125. Each of the spindles 50 to 65 also supports a slidable spool 127 between the collar 126 and another collar 128 which is also afiixed to the spindle. Assume that the spindle 51 is the first loaded spindle positioned for delivery to the jar 70. The spindle 51 is driven to its delivery position in a manner hereinafter described by a shoe 130 of a vertical delivery or plunger shaft 131 (shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4 and in phantom in Figure 21) which engages the spool 127 forcing it against the collar 128. By means of the shoe 130 and collar 128, the spindle 51 is radially driven along the wheel 39 with the collar 28 sliding along a semi-cylindrical guide 133 of the spindle. The guide 133 is supported on the wheel 39 by means of spacers 137 and screws 138 (Figure 21). The pinion 113, locator 109, spacer 111, and friction split collar 110 remain positioned by the bracket 106 and so are not driven with the cylindrical spindle 51 along the wheel 39. The thrust driving the spindle 51 through these members is relatively large as they frictionally engage the spindle so as to permit the rotation of the spindle by the pinion 113. 7

Each of the spindles 50 to 65 has a milled slot in which a slidable rod 134 is set. The rod 134 opens and closes a pair of olive tongs or fingers 135 briefly mentioned above, which are pivoted on a pin 136 at the peripheral end of the spindle. The axial movement of the rod 134 relative to the rest of the spindle 51 is controlled by a pin 139 of the spool 127. When the spool 127 is against the collar 128, the rod 134 is in its lower position and the fingers 135 are closed or in their olive-holding position. A pin 140 at the lower end of the rod 134 cams the ends of the flexible members 141. The members 141 bear against the fingers 135 in a manner to rotate them to the relatively closed olive-holding position when the members 141 are rotated away from each other by the pin 140 and to a relatively open or releasing position shown in Figure 20 to release an olive when the members 141 are rotated towards each other. More specifically, when the members 141 are rotated or cammed by the pin 140, they rotate therewith two pins 142 which are also supported on the pin 136. The pin 136 supports the fingers 135 and two flexible finger members 143 against the members spring 135a.shown inFigure 19 holds the fingers against the pin at all times. The ends of the members 143 are resiliently connected by the springs 144 to the pins 142. The finger members 143 together with another pair of flexible members 145 (Figure 19) function as a balanced resilient system to maintain the fingers 135 in an open or olive releasing position in the absence of the camming action of the pin 140, and to cause the fingers 135 to resiliently support olives having different diameters.

Since the spool 127 is kept against the collar 128 as the spindle 51 is driven by the shoe 130 to the delivery position, the fingers 135 remain closed about the olive during the delivery stroke. As indicated above, the fingers 135 are shown in their open condition in Figure 20 with the collar 127 being against the collar 126.

Returning now to the sequence of operations initiated by the energization of the start solenoid 83 shown in Figure 14, the gear 29 drives the gear train including the gears 43, 44 and 45. The gear 45 is mounted on the shaft 46 which drives the wheel 39 in a manner described above to successively position the spindles 50 to 65 at the delivery position adjacent the jar 70 and at the load position adjacent the conveyor 36. The gear 43 also functions to control another sequence of operations. The gear 43 which is part of the gear train to the gear 45 and which rotates in a counter-clockwise direction as shown in Figure 12, is supported on a shaft 73. Mounted on the front end of the shaft 73 which rotates with the gear 43, a gear 72 by way of the gears 74 and 75 and the bevel gears 76 and 77, drives a conveyor shaft 67. The conveyor shaft 67 extends from the control mechanism 38 as shown in Figures 5 and 6 to drive a gear train consisting of gears 148, 149 and 150. Each pair of links 151 which are resiliently urged towards each other hold an olive in position for delivery by the delivery arm 42 to the fingers 135 of a horizontally positioned spindle.

The olives are inserted manually, or by other means, not shown, between the pairs of links 151 with the pimento facing forward or away from the machine as shown ,in Figure 9. As the conveyor 36 is stepped by the conveyor drive shaft 67, an olive straightener 152 accurately aligns each olive against a backing member 153. The operation of the delivery arm 42 which successively delivers the olives to the spindles 50 to 65 and the straightener arm 152 are both hereinafter described.

The gear 72, which is at the beginning of the mechanical linkage driving the conveyor 36, supports a long pin 155. After one complete revolution of the gear 72 in a counter-clockwise direction, the pin 155 engages and rotates a finger or stop 156 away from the clutch 25. The finger 156 unlatches a pawl, not shown, on the clutch 25 to allow it to rotate in a manner similar to that described above in reference to the latching mechanism 85 and the clutch 28. At the same time that the clutch 25 starts rotating, the clutch 28 is latched as the pawl 94 on the clutch 28 engages the latching arm 93 of the latching mechanism 85.

The clutches 25 and 28 are alternately operative with each initiating the operation of the other after one complete revolution. The clutch 28 initiates the operation of the clutch 25 by means of a gear linkage; the pin 155 and the latching finger 156, and the clutch 25 initiates the operation of the clutch 28 after one revolution by means of the pin 26 which cams or rotates slightly the control arm 88 of the latching mechanism 85. As described above, when the arm 88 is rotated in this manner, it bears against the stud 86 of the arm 93 to cause it to unlatch the clutch 28.

The clutch 25, which is released after one revolution of the clutch 28, is somewhat different from the clutch 28. As described above, the clutch 28 is free on the main shaft 81 which passes through it. It'controls the bushing 27 attached thereto and the gear train beginning with the gear 29 that is mounted on the bushing 27. The

Fis latchedethe portien ofqthe main driver-shaft l814at-lthe rfront of. the ,cluteh. 25,does. .not. rotate. As is hereinafter described, ..a clutch .20 which Zisaalso mounted on [the rmain. drive shaft 81 differs .from :the :clutches .28. t and ;25

-.,becaus,e..as lon-g -as .it,.is.latched,. the. mainmdriveeshaft 81 rotates tbutrwhen the clutch. 20, is I'e1BaSQdqthe Pa LQf the main shaft 81 in front of ltndQCS not ,rotate.

Whenthe t clutch .25 .rotates, -it performs ,four-main Junctions in addit-ion tomnlatehingytheclutch 28- at the .end of itslrevolution on the. shaft 81.

r (.1)-. It delivers an olive .by:means .ofrthe olive delivery garrn 42 to,one.. of the, sixteen spindles 50 to 65,,andit .scribcdimdetail .,ir1 .theorderrin which they .are listed above.

Whenthe front ,section of .the main drive .shaft 81, is ,rotated with g the, clutch ,25 .due .to its, releasegby ,theffinger 156,: :an -.-eccentric cam, 160 a mounted on ,the shaft 81 operates a rocker arm 161 to .rotate about a pivot 162. As tithe.cam1160rotatessto.rock the ,arm 16-1,,a'1ink 163, .which ispivoted on.,the arm ,161, is .moved back and forth. ,The ,link. 16.3 passes through theihousing'of the control mechanism .38 and,as .shown injEigure. 6, is rotatably attached to .one end of a bracket 164. The bracket 164 rotatestogether Witha cylindrical ,shaft. 165 -andan ,armv166iabout a,pivot-.which;is attached to the .uppertable 32.by, ,the screw 168,.th1iough the cen er of ;the shaft ,165. -Asi the bracketfllfidrotatesina clockwise .manner, ,it moves the delivery arm .42 to .push,,an olive supported between. an adjacent pair of links 151 of the conveyor 3-6. Thearm'42 slidesin a bra'cket 169 which is supported on the -.upper table 3-2 of the olive packing machine.

As, described above, the olive 'ispositioned withqthe' v,pimento. facing .forwardibetween ,the'links (15.1, so. thatthe .arm. 42 contacts -,the..oli ve .alongjits side,.not. at the pimen- .to. ,T heoliveis delivered ,by theWarmAZ to a resiliently .closedrpair of fingers 1350f oneof the sixteen spindles50 .rto 65. .Asdescribed above, .the rack assembly 116 has ;rotated thespindle to itsinormal position ready vto receive an.olive as the spinidleis moved tothe horizontal position of the wheel 39. Each time the clutch 28 rotates,

the wheel 39 isistepped to position. another spindle at the horizontal loading-position, :and .each time the clutch 25 .rotates, .an olive .is delivered by the arm 42 from the tconveyorfifi ,to the horizontally positioned spindle.

The ,arm-.166 which isirotated-iwithlhe ,bracket 164 is ,partlofethe oli-ve straightener 152 which was briefly de- .,s cribe d above.

The .olive straightener .152 includes a pair of flexible positioners 170 .which are slidably mounted .bya ,bracket ,-171 on. the .side ,of the, olive con- .veyor .36. At.the same time :thatthe arm .42,is,- moved' to the left (Figure 5 to deliver ,an olive to .thelfingers .135 of-oneof theirspindles 50:10 .65,'the,fingers 1700f the .plive straightener 152 are .moved ,to "the left (Figure 9,) -.to accuratelyalign an oliveesupported ,between a becau e t e-olives .are not z-aecurately aligned .when they are manually inserted between the links 151 of the con eeegses veyor 36. By automatically aligningithe olivesfin "the eeonveyoru36 they areIaccurately-,.positione'd'in'ltheijar"70 againstethe cylindrical; glassrwall when "they are. released. If the olives are not aligned, [they may "be releasedat eaasmall d'istance away from ,theicylin'drical glasswall or they may be bumped against the glass wall. Even sma1l--.variationsimpositioning rtherolivesin the -jar70 rgshouldtbe avoided beeausethe error is'accumulativewith :succeeding layerslalsobeing:displaced;

As tabulated above, whensthe clutch 25 ,is released, ,itrotates thefrontsectionof the main driving-shaft 81 to initiate the olive deliverysequence for-delivering "lan olive intorthe,jar 710. As shown inFigureS and in ..Figure 5a, :which depicts thedetails of .a link 174, a crank 17.3 .is rotated with .the driving shaft Q81 in a qcounter-clockwise:direction drivingqatlink .174 which is pivoted at r1118 .lower end to .the crank 1173. As ,shown .in .Flglll'flfitL-JIIGJIPPEI end .ofthe link 174 has a. short longitudinally. extending slot. 202 which .engages .a .stud .5203- \The stud203. is :fixedly attached to .an arm .175 ..which rotates in ..:a counter-clockwise direction 1 about .aeshaftil'ltiiunder the .irifiuence .of the link 174. .The :shaft r176 is supported on the housing of the control mechanism. 3.8. a

The =Stlld.2.03 .may be engaged? by a primary latchj200 which .iszrrotatablysupported :by a. pin .207 mounted on a the link 174. As described above,..however, the latch 200 was disengaged from -the stud .203 by-the rocker :;204which operatedduring thetime that the wheel ,39 .was stepped. When the bracket 48 is rotated with the .shaft '46 ,and clutch..28, it functions to drive the wheel 39andealso.by means of -a .pin 205to rotate the rocker e204 in acounter-clockwise direction. -A rollert220 at ethetendoflthe rocker 204'engages thelatch 200 causing it torotatein a clockwise direction about its pivot 207 on.the link 17.4.therebyreleasingthestud 203. The stud 203 is, therefore, .freeto move longitudinally relative .to the .slot [202 in the link 174. When .the latch .200 releases.the.-stud,.-203,-it remains .in its unlatched position under controhof-avsewndary latch 201 even though his urged in acountereclockwise direction by a spring ,208. 'Thesecondary latch=201 has two slots 214- and 5215 whichwengage-pins.212qand 213 respectively on-the :primaryJatch 200. The latch.201-is also resiliently con .nected to thelatch 200rbyimeans of a spring 209. When the latch -200 is rotated by the-rocker 204-in a clockwiseidirection, thesecon'daryrlatch 201 slides along the primarylatch 200 under the -.infiuence of the spring 209 reducing the opening of --the .jaws formed by the :latches i200cand r20'1\f0r. the stud 203. The stud 203 is, therefore, free to move longitudinally in the slot .202 :and it remainsfree as rlfll'lg .as .the stud 203 rotates in a clockwise direction relative to the slot 202 of the link l-74 forcing therlatch200 away from it or as long asit is in ,the.top part of.the slot 202. When, however, the ,stud .3203 returns to the'bottomofthe slot .202 andrits :rotation reverses whichioccurs about half-way in ;the rotating cyclelofmthe crank .173, thelatch 200is urged towards its .latching "position .due .to the-frictional Zenrgagementvbetween it and-the stud 203. The change in .thedirection of friction whichis aided by theeffect of thespring 208is.sufficient to force the latch 200 over the stud 203 with the stud 203 moving the secondary latch -201 against thev tension .of the spring 209. The latche200iis not effective when thestud 203 is toward the top of .the .slot ,202.but. only becomes. effective to relatch thestudr203 after the stud 203 has returned to its normal position .at the bottom of the slot 202 and its direction of relativerotationhas reversed.

The crank 1 7.3 rotates through one revolution during .the .motion of the plunger-shaft 131, which is further hereinafter described in detail, as follows;

.(,-l. A brief .delay in the downward .shaft 131 due to the effect of the slot 202;

(2) A downward movement of the shaft 131 for a motionyofthe 

